Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Mercadito Mixologist Moves On; Introducing Watershed

One of the hardest-working men in local mixology has just added even more notches to his resume.

No more Mercadito for Daniel de Oliveira, who's been there since it opened last fall.

Instead, the talented bartender has taken a full-time position with the Pernod brand to launch Olmeca Altos tequila, from the highlands of Mexico, in the Chicago market (RSVP for the launch party happening 6:30-8:30pm Monday, Aug. 9 at East Bank Club, 500 N. Kingsbury St. at RSVP@Handcraftedpr.com). That doesn't mean this is the last we'll see of him behind the stick: For now, he'll continue to work at Crimson and during The Exchange's Monday night industry party, Shift Drinks.

Also, look for de Oliveira to consult on Watershed, the new lounge going into the lower level of Pops For Champagne in River North. The former home to Shift Drinks has been shuttered all summer for a renovation even though the first-floor bubbly bar remained open.

What's the concept?! "It is seasonal rustic American fare with French techniques and influences," read the ad looking for a line cook on Craigslist.

de Oliveira adds that the focus will also be on regional spirits, including Death's Door, North Shore Distillery, Templeton Rye and Koval. He's charged with training bartenders on the art of classic cocktails, designing the drink menu and setting up the entire bar.

"It's like a clubroom in someone's luxe home," he says. "It's going to be a place where people will want to go to chill out a lot."

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The Dish:

Audarshia Townsend's introduction to the online world began as one of the first two editors at metromix.com--where they set the tone for the entertainment site's cutting-edge style. She also has written lifestyle features for the Chicago Tribune, Essence, Los Angeles Times, Michigan Avenue, about.com, playboy.com, Huffington Post, DiningChicago.com, World's Best Bars and Upscale magazine. Additionally, she has appeared regularly on CLTV, WGN-TV and WCIU-TV's "You & Me This Morning" for cocktail-, dining- and nightlife-related features. In 2007, Audarshia launched 312DiningDiva.com, a daily dining-and-drinking blog keeping readers up to date on Chicago happenings. Her interests include staying fit with a regular Forrest Yoga practice, cycling in the city, and Flywheel Chicago classes.